Posted on 02/05/2025 6:46:11 AM PST by hardspunned
WEST ORANGE, N.J. (AP) — Along the long road from American icon to endangered species and back again, the bald eagle — the national bird of the United States, often seen against a clear blue sky — is having a moment.
The eagles find themselves in an environmental updraft of sorts since the early 2000s, when the federal government took the thriving birds off its endangered species list with more states following suit. Culturally, too, the animals are soaring.
In December, Joe Biden signed legislation making the raptor the country’s national bird (thought that was already the case? More in a bit). New Jersey became the latest state to delist the bald eagle as endangered in January, citing a remarkable comeback for the creatures associated with strength and independence — and that occupied just a single nest in the state decades ago. And to the chagrin or elation of football fans, the Philadelphia Eagles will be vying for a championship in the Super Bowl this weekend.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
I live near the Ohio River 25 southeast, as the eagle flies, from Cincinnati. For years there has been a mating couple of eagles in Brown County, Ohio, 15 miles as the eagle flies from me.
Monday I saw a bald eagle half way between me and Cincinnati over the river.
Just now I was standing on my back, second floor deck. TWO bald eagles just buzzed me, eye ball high, 25’ away!
MAGNIFICIENT!
Numerous bald eagle nests along the southern shore of Lake Erie. Quite common to see them flying overhead in NE Ohio, a great sight.
They migrate to the north end of Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho every year just before Thanksgiving and stay about five weeks. The Kokanee Salmon (landlocked salmon) is really plentiful and they get a real feast during those weeks. Last year there was a record 400 eagles around Higgins Point, but this year the count declined to maybe 300. It fluctuates year to year. It’s really spectacular seeing them sitting in the trees, on the shore, on the docks and pilings and fishing in the lake. There are “Eagle Cruises” on the lake which take you around their grounds.
Next USAID project: Toupees for bald eagles!
There’s a nest about 40 miles west of us in the small town of Big Rock IL. It’s in a huge old oak tree. Mrs L and I make it a point to look for them on our way out to the gun club we belong to.
We were there last week to try out a pistol I inherited. One was there sitting in one of the highest branches of the tree looking out over their domain. It’s always special when we see one.
Magnificent creatures.
L
Windmill fatalities perhaps?...
My wife saw one Monday in the middle of busy road that appeared to have trouble flying into a neighboring golf course.
Hadn’t seen any since 7/1/22 and 1/1/22.
Where are you?
I saw one years ago...I went “wow”. Turned out to be a kite. lol
The other spot to see them around here is along the Nashua River in Pepperal, MA and Groton, MA. My wife just saw one recently when traveling through those towns. There is at least one pair that nests along that river. These are suburban/rural towns about an hour NW of Boston.
You sure this story is from the AP? I mean, I read the first part and scanned the rest and I didn’t see a single “Let’s Hate Trump” line.
You know the story about the dove. Well, the Lord sends eagles with messages too. Butler really unnerved them.
asking for a friend
That reminds me, the eagles are wintering at Realfoot Lake and I wanted to take my kid to see them.
There have been more and more along the Mississippi in recent years.
I had an owl perched on top of my flagpole about 2 weeks ago at night. Does that count?
Eagles are just cool looking scavengers and birds of prey.
Not a lot of difference between eagles and vultures in the way they survive.
Are you from Alaska? We’ve always had plenty of hawks around here. How well do eagles and hawks coexist?
Lots of them in the Muskegon river basen here in Michigan as well. About 20 years ago, my wife and I were driving south along the lake michigan coastline, we rounded a curve and on the centerline sat a red squirrel munching a nut. When he spotted our vehicle, he jumped to our left, just as an eagle hit the ground, talons extended where he was sitting. Squirrel ran off, eagle flew, i said did yousee that! Wife said you saved him(the squirrel).
We live on the Columbia River and see them often. In fact we spied what we think is a new nest on our property. We are hearing them too. They are majestic. Few years ago a couple of them were hanging out in a tree near our kitchen, watching us eat lunch.
Well I’ll be damned! Great story!
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